If your tea kettle doesn’t shine like it used to, spritz the outside with apple cider vinegar and then wipe with a cloth covered in baking soda. Remember to follow the grain so you don’t scratch the metal.

Thick mineral deposits on a tea kettle can be difficult to remove. For the most difficult cleaning jobs, boil apple cider vinegar, water, and salt in the kettle for 15 minutes. Allow the mixture to sit overnight. Dump liquid the next morning.

Make a homemade spray cleaner for the kitchen and bathroom. 1 part white vinegar, 4 parts water, 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional), and 1 tsp of organic dish soap. This does wonders on counter tops, high chair trays, baseboards, walls, appliances, floors, and everywhere else things can be dumped, spilled or tracked.

Rid a faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing 1/3 to 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar around it and leaving it there for two or three hours. Wipe down with a sponge and scrub any remaining deposits with an old toothbrush.

Remove the smell of spoiled food from a refrigerator by first rinsing the area with soap and water. Spray surfaces with undiluted white distilled vinegar and wipe down with a damp cloth or sponge. Fill several containers with baking soda and place inside. Close the door and leave for a few days.

Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with white distilled vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual for counterindications.)

Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If more drastic action is needed, boil full-strength white distilled vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.

To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals, wash then spray with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a hot water rinse before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

To remove water spots from stainless steel pot, wet a thick, clean towel with distilled white vinegar that has been brought to a boil. Lay the vinegar-soaked towel on the water spot and wait 30 minutes. Sprinkle with baking soda or Cameo (aluminum and stainless steel cleaner). Scrub, then wipe clean and dry.

Burned bits in a pan? Combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of vinegar into the pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove the pan from the heat and add in baking soda. After the fizz calms down, empty the pan and scour as normal.